Who The Hell Will They Draft? Iowa RT Kyle Calloway

Iowa week comes to a close with the less highly touted Iowa OT in the draft. At 6' 6 1/2" 323lbs Kyle Calloway has plenty of size for a pro RT and his run blocking gets rave reviews. Calloway would have a good chance to step right in to bulk up a guard spot or possibly inject youth at RT.

Calloway broke into the starting lineup at Iowa playing left tackle for much of 2007. In 2008 he was moved to RT with the emerging Bryan Bulaga taking over at LT. In 2009 he started the regular season at RT before shifting inside to RG, where he had seen time as a freshman, for the Orange Bowl (with stud RS Freshman Riley Reiff manning RT). Calloway's experience at 3 positions on the line shows the versatility that's common among Colts linemen and would allow them to fit him into the lineup in many scenarios.

A lack of great athleticism, leading to some issues against speed rushers is why an experienced and powerful blocker like Calloway isn't creeping into the back of the 1st round like elite RT prospects Gosder Cherilus and Jeff Otah did. There's one blip on Calloway's character radar. He was suspended for the first game of 2009 after he was arrested and charged with DUI for riding a moped while intoxicated. Personally I think the mental picture of a 6'7" 325lb lineman riding a little moped makes the incident more a public service than a character concern.

Mocking the Draft

Calloway is a natural right tackle who has also seen time on the left side. He's big and physical at the point of attack and can neutralize bull rushing ends. He's a poor man's Phil Loadholt in that he's a very good run blocker but has athleticism issues in pass blocking.

NFL Draft Scout

Mirrors and stays low against power defensive ends from his right tackle spot. Sets up quickly in pass protection and uses a good angle on his kick slide, rarely giving up the edge. Absorbs big punches and regularly anchors. Extends his arms to keep rushers at bay but could have a stronger punch to knock them off balance. Works to stay with his man on secondary rushes but will reach more than move his feet. Adjusts to twists but doesn't always recognize or get a hand on inside blitzers. Will get tall and choppy in his footwork against quicker ends.

Attacks edge rushers on run plays, firing his hands into their jersey. Able to move in any direction. Solid combo blocker negates MIKE linebacker or other defenders coming inside-out. Latches onto the numbers and doesn't let go. Keeps a wide base on the edge and keep his hands and feet active to sustain. Likes to keep his man on the ground through the whistle.

National Football Post

Calloway does a nice job keeping his base low in the run game and creates a real pop on contact. Possessing the ability to get his feet around opposing lineman and seal them from the ball, he's a flexible athlete who exhibits good short-area quickness. Displays a real toughness about his game and works hard to stay on blocks on the move.

Exhibits smooth footwork in pass protection and does a nice job sitting into his stance when anchoring on contact. Displaying only average range in pass protection, Calloway doesn't consistently lock on to defenders outside and has a tendency to lose balance trying to reach the corner. He will struggle when asked to redirect on the counter move against more explosive pass rushers.....Calloway is just that kind of tough, gritty right tackle that gets it done. He isn't a great athlete, but he has enough quickness to his game to man a right tackle spot at the next level.

NFL.com

Uses his hands very well and possesses good overall technique. Shows natural feel for the game and proper footwork gives him good leverage. Versatile enough to play many positions.

Struggles with lateral range and can be exposed by speed rushers.

Calloway's a mid to late round pick who could contribute quickly on the OL. Having watched Calloway the last few years he was usually a player that I absolutely loved having, with him mauling opposing D linemen in the run game and attempted bull rushes, but he had frustrating moments against the best edge rushers he faced (but if an RT could handle great edge rushers he'd be playing LT, wouldn't he.)  The level of need leaguewide at the tackles could have Calloway going earlier than expected, but if he's still around Saturday he'll be a steal.

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